Fabric trimmer



March 8, 1966 D. K. PORTER 3,238,831

FABRIC TRIMMER Filed April 9, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. F I G. 3DONALD KPORTER BY/QM;

.ATTY.

D. K. PORTER FABRIC TRIMMER March 8, 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April9, 1964 INVENTOR. DONALD KPORTER W ATTY.

INVENTOR. DONALD K. PORTER BY 4 Sheets-$heet 5 D. K. PORTER FABRICTRIMMER March 8, 1966 Filed April 9, 1964 ATTY.

D. K. PORTER FABRIC TRIMMER March 8, 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April9, 1964 FIG.1O

INVENTOR. DONALD K. PORTER BY Q X a. l

ATTY.

United States Patent O 3,238,831 FABRIC TRIMMER Donald K. Porter,Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, assignor to The B. F. Goodrich Company, New York,N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Apr. 9, 1964, Ser. No. 358,463 10Claims. (Cl. 83-433) This invention relates to a trimmer and moreparticularly to an edge gum trimmer unit for use in trimming therespective side edges of a sheet of rubber coated fabric.

In applying freshly sheeted rubber to continuously moving parallelstrands of fabric, it is highly desirable to provide a finished cordfabric which leaves the calender rolls with the strands parallel andsurrounded by unvulcanized rubber such that the respective parallel sideedges of the fabric are trimmed cleanly and closely to the edge cords.It is desirable to maintain an accurate proportion of rubber to cordwithin the fabric as well as at the respective edges to assureconsistent quality in strength and resiliency throughout the fabric.Since such fabric is biased cut and spliced at the ends by successiveshort strips, it is essential that the respective joined edges beproperly coated to assure consistent spacing of rubber and strands toavoid irregularity and imbalance of the finished tire.

The present invention contemplates the accurate trimming of therespective side edges of coated fabric as it leaves the calender rollsto assure consistency in spacing of cords throughout an assembled biascut fabric.

It is an object of this invention to provide a new and improved trimcutter.

It is a further object of this invention to provide means for accuratelymaintaining a predetermined amount of coating on the edges of a coatedfabric.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a trim cutter whichaccurately trims over a wide lateral range the excess gum from a coatedfabric.

A further object of this invention is to provide a consistent pressureover a wide lateral range of a fabric that has its side edges trimmedalong a longitudinally extending direction.

With these and other objects in view, as will hereinafter be moreparticularly pointed out in the appended claims, reference is now madeto the following description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic cross section of the rubberized fabric.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic cross-section view of a conventional four-rollcalender machine showing an edge trimmer generally.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic plan view of a calender machine showing a pairlaterally spaced edge trimmers.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged front elevational View of the edge trimmer.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the edge trimmer taken along line5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the edge trimmer taken along line6-6 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the edge trimmer shown in FIG. 4with a portion thereof broken away for clarity.

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a modified edge trimmer similar toFIG. 6 for use on a Z-type of calender roll arrangement.

FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of the edge trimmer shown in FIG. 9,taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a calender apparatus designated generally as 1comprises vertically spaced standice ards which support calender rolls2, 3, 4 and 5. A sheet of rubber 6 is formed on the roller 3 from a bankof stock 7 between the rollers 2 and 3, and a similar sheet of rubber 8is formed on the roller 4 from a bank of stock 9 between the rollers 4and 5. Suitable means not shown direct properly spaced strands of cordsof rayon, nylon, cotton, wire or similar materials designated generally10, that have been dipped in specially formulated liquid rubbercompounds and tension dried, to the bight portion of rolls 3 and 4. Thecalender rolls 3 and 4 are so spaced with respect to each other andspace therebetween so proportioned to the thickness of the sheets 6 and8 and the diameter of the strands of cords that the sheets can bebrought together, and forced together between the strands to make arubberized fabric 11. Fabric 11 as shown in FIG. 1 comprises individualstrands of cord 10 and a homogeneous rubber coating 12 around andbetween the cords due to the pressure of the calender rolls.

As the fabric 11 (FIG. 3) emerges from the calender rolls, a pair oflaterally spaced edge trimmers 13, 13' mounted on a spacer bar 14 thatis suitably attached to the standards of the calender apparatus operatesto trim the respective laterally spaced edges of the fabric 11 toprovide a rubberized fabric 11 that has the respective side edgestrimmed cleanly and closely to the edge cords.

The respective edge trimmers 13 and 13' are similar in all respectsexcept for being of opposite hand. The edge trimmer 13 comprises anupper support bar 20 and a lower support bar 21 suitably connected attheir respective end portions by pairs of laterally spaced verticallyextending braces 22, 22' and 23, 23. The upper end portions of therespective braces 22, 22' and 23, 23' rotatably support roller units 24and 25. The roller units 24 and 25 are in rolling contact with thespacer bar 14 such that the edge trimmer 13 may be adjusted thereon. Inorder to lock the edge trimmer 13 onto bar 14, lock means 26 is mountedon the vertical extending brace 23. Brace 23 has a boss 27 suitablymounted on the upper end portion thereof. Boss 27 has a threaded bore28, which threaded bore 28 is in alignment with a threaded bore 29 onbrace 23 to thereby accommodate a lock screw 30. One end of screw 30 hasa handle 32 secured thereto for rotating such lock screw 30. The otherend of screw 30 supports a pressure plate 34 whereby rotation of handle32 operates to release or exert pressure via plate 34 onto bar 14 tothereby accommodate the locking of edge trimmer 13 thereon.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the lower end portions of braces 22 and 22support a shaft 36 which shaft 36 pivotally supports a rectangularshaped support block 38. Block 38 has a pair of vertically spaced bores,which bores receive respectively one end of generally horizontallyextending rods 40 and 42. The other end of rods 40 and 42 are connectedto a vertically adjustable block 1 44. Block 44 has a laterallyextending projection 46 which threadedly receives an adjusting screw 48.Screw 48 has its lower end extending through vertically spaced cammembers 50 and 52 and connected to a handle 54 for rotation thereof. Cammembers 50 and 52 abuttingly contact lower support bar 21, such thatrotation of screw 48 operates to raise or lower block 44 and therebyimpart the desired degree of slant to the rods 40 and 42.

Slidably mounted on rods 40 and 42 for movement in a rectilineardirection is a crosshead 56. Crosshead 56 is adapted to slide on rods 40and 42 on stainless steel ball bushings for unrestricted movementbetween the limits of the vertically extending braces 22 and 23.Crosshead 56 has a vertical bore 58 which pivotally suports a shaft 60.Journalled on the lower end of shaft 60 for pivotally moving therewithis a bifurcated support memher 62. Support member 62 pivotally supportsa shaft 64 on which is keyed a boss 66. Boss 66 supports alongitudinally extending threaded rod 68 on which is mounted a knifeholder 70 and an annular counterweight 72. A knife blade 74 is suitablymounted in knife holder 70. Counterweight 72, split as shown in FIG. 8,is adjustably mounted on the threaded rod 68 and locked in its adjustedposition thereon via a threaded screw 76 which extends through a boreconnecting the respective split portions. Counterweight 72 exerts adownward force on the rod 68 and knife 74 to maintain knife 74 incutting engagement with the rubberized fabric 11. A ratchet means 77,mounted on shaft 64, is adapted to maintain knife 74 out of engagementwith the fabric 11. Ratchet means 77 comprises a serrated disc 78 keyedto shaft 64 for pivotal movement therewith. A bracket 79 extendingdownwardly from support member 62 has a latch member 80 pivotallymounted on a shaft 82. Shaft 82 has a handle 84 secured thereto toprovide means for rotating shaft 82 and the latch member 80 such as topivot the outer end portion of latch member 80 into abutting engagementwith serrated disc 72 to lock disc 78, shaft 64, rod 68 and knife 74 ina preselected position whereby knife 74 is out of contact with thefabric 11.

In operation the edge trimmers 13 and 13 assume a continuously movingsheet of rubberized fabric 11 from calender apparatus 1 with suchtrimmers 13 and 13' operating on the respective edges of such fabric 11.Since the edge trimmers 13 and 13' are similar in all respects exceptbeing of opposite hand, only the operation of edge trimmer 13 will bedescribed. Initially, handle 32 of lock means 26 is rotated to releasepressure plate 34 from spacer bar 14 to permit manual rectilinearmovement of edge trimmer 13 to its desired location of operation. Handle32 is then rotated to lock the pressure plate 34 against bar 14 whichlocks the edge trimmer 13 in position. Thereafter, crosshead 56 ispositioned by inclining rods 40 and 42. Handle 54 is rotated to moveblock 44 vertically upward which as viewed in FIG. 4 slants rods 40 and42 downward from right to left. Such elevation of rods 40 and 42 causescrosshead 56 to slide from right to left as viewed in FIG. 4, and toslide toward the longitudinal center line of sheet fabric 11 as viewedin FIG. 3. The rod 68 along with knife 74 is positioned adjacent theouter strand of cord such that the slant of the rods 40 and 42 maintainssufficient lateral pressure on the knife to cut evenly the rubberizededge adjacent the outer strand of cord. To assure that knife 74 remainsin contact with the sheet of rubberized fabric 11, counterweight 72 isadjusted longitudinally on rod 68 in the manner described above toprovide suflicient downward force on knife 74 to maintain the desiredcontact. In those instances where it is desired to move knife 74 awayfrom the sheet of fabric 11, rod 68 and knife 74 are moved clockwise asviewed in FIG. 6. Handle 84 is then rotated counterclockwise as viewedin FIG. 6 to pivot the outer end portion of latch member 80 intoabutting engagement with serrated disc 78 to lock the knife 74 and itsassociated parts away from the sheet fabric.

FIG. discloses a modification of the above-described crosshead 56 foruse on Z-calenders wherein a crosshead 90 is slidably mounted on rods 40and 42 for unrestricted movement in a rectilinear direction thereon in asimilar manner as crosshead 56. The forward portion of crosshead 90 hasa bifurcated portion 91 which pivotally journals as at 92 a boss 93 towhich is connected an inverted L-shaped rod 94. One end portion of rod94 is threaded as at 95 to receive a counterweight 96 while the otherend portion of rod 94 has a tool holder 97 secured thereto. Tool holder96 has a blade 98 suitably mounted therein. Boss 93 is keyed to pivotmeans 92, which pivot means 92 carries a stop member 99 having ashoulder 100 thereon. Iivotally mounted as at 101 on portion 91 ofcrosshead 90 is a pawl 102 having a projection 103. Pawl 4 102 has ahandle 104 connected thereto for manually moving pawl 102.

The operation of crosshead is similar to that of crosshead 56 exceptthat the means for retaining the blade 97 out of contact with the fabricis the pivoting of rod 94 clockwise about pivot means 92 as viewed inFIG. 10 until shoulder 100 abuttingly engages projection 103 on pawl102. To release the blade for cutting, handle 104 is rotated clockwiseabout pivot means 101 to disengage shoulder 100 from projection 103 suchthat the counterweight 96 pivots rod 94 counterclockwise as viewed inFIG. 10 about pivot means 92 until blade 98 engages the fabric to betrimmed. The cutting pressure on blade 98 can be adjusted by rotatingcounterweight 96 on threaded portion of rod 94 until the proper desiredforce is obtained.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention arepossible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to beunderstood, that within the scope of the appended claims, the inventionmay be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

I claim:

1. An edge trimmer comprising a support frame adapted to be connected toa calender apparatus which processes a sheet of continuously movingmaterial having a longitudinal center line, said support frame having acrosshead mounted on said frame for unrestricted movement toward andaway from such longitudinal center line, said crosshead having a cuttermounted thereon for engagement with such sheet of material, andadjusting means on said support frame operatively connected to saidcrosshead providing a preselected constant lateral force on saidcrosshead irrespective of the lateral movement of said crosshead towardsaid longitudinal center line.

2. An edge trimmer comprising support means, guide means mounted on saidsupport means, a crosshead slidably mounted on said guide means, saidcrosshead having a trim cutter mounted thereon, means mounted on saidsupport means operatively connected to said guide means for adjustingthe inclination of said guide means relative to said support meanswhereby said crosshead exerts a greater force on said trim cutter inaccordance to the degree of inclination of said guide means.

3. An edge trimmer as set forth in claim 2 wherein said trim cuttercomprises a threaded rod pivotally connected to said crosshead, acounterweight threadedly connected to said rod for adjustment thereon,and a cutter blade mounted on the end of said rod for engagement withmaterial guided thereby.

4. An edge trimmer as set forth in claim 3 wherein said crosshead hasmeans for locking said rod and said cutter blade in preselected rotatedpositions.

5. An edge trimmer comprising support means, guide means mounted on saidsupport means, a crosshead slidably mounted on said guide means, meansmounted on said support means operatively connected to said guide meansfor adjusting the inclination of said guide means relative to saidsupport means whereby said crosshead exerts a greater force on said trimcutter in accordance to the degree of inclination of said guide means,said crosshead having a tool support pivotally mounted thereon, saidtool support having a treaded rod pivotally secured thereto, acounterweight threadedly mounted thereon for movement thereon to varythe force on said rod, a cutter blade mounted on the end of said rod forengagement with material guided thereby, and said crosshead having latchmeans cooperative with lock means on said tool support for securing saidtool support and said cutter blade in predetermined positions to therebymaintain said cutter blade out of engagement with material fed adjacentthereto.

6. An edge trimmer comprising support means adjustably mounted on ahorizontally extending bar, said support means having guide meanscoplanar with said bar, one end of said guide means being pivotallymounted on one end portion of said support means, means on' the otherend portion of said support means for adjusting the inclination of saidguide means relative to said bar, a tool support slidably mounted onsaid guide means, and said tool support having a blade connected theretofor trimming material guided thereby.

7. An edge trimmer for cooperative use on a horizontally extending baradapted to be connected to a calender apparatus, support meansadjustably mounted on said horizontally extending bar, said supportmeans having guide means extending in a generally horizontal direction,one end of said guide means being pivotally mounted on one end portionof said support means, means on the other end portion of said supportmeans operatively connected to said guide means for adjusting theinclination of said guide means relative to said bar, a crossheadslidably mounted on said guide means, said crosshead having a verticallyextending pivot means supporting a tool support, said tool supporthaving a boss pivotally mounted thereon for movement about a horizontalshaft, a rod mounted on said boss for pivotal movement therewith, acounterweight adjustably mounted on said rod, and said rod having acutter blade mounted thereon.

8. An edge trimmer comprising a horizontally extending crossbar adaptedto be connected to a calender apparatus, a support frame slidablymounted on said crossbar, means for securing said support frame on saidcrossbar, said support frame having spaced end portions, a first blockpivotally mounted on one end portion of said support frame, a pair ofhorizontally extending guide rods secured to said block for pivotalmovement therewith, a second block mounted on the other end portion ofsaid support frame having said guide rods connected thereto, means onsaid support frame operatively connected to said second block forvertically adjusting said second block to thereby adjust the slant onsaid guide rods and pivotally adjust said first block, and a toolsupport crosshead slidably mounted on said guide rods for movementthereon.

9. An edge trimmer comprising a horizontally extending crossbar adaptedto be connected to a calender apparatus, a support frame adjustablymounted on said crossbar, said support frame having spaced end portions,

a first block pivotally mounted on one end portion of said supportframe, a pair of horizontally extending guide rods secured to said blockfor pivotal movement therewith, a second block mounted on the other endportion of said supportframe having said guide rods connected thereto,means on said support frame operatively connected to said second blockfor vertically adjusting said second block, a tool support slidablymounted on said guide rods, a vertically extending rod having a pivotal6 mounting on said tool support wherein said pivotal mounting has anaxis parallel to said guide rods, a

cutter blade support attached to one end of said vertically extendingrod, and a counterweight adjustably attached to the other end of saidvertically extending rod to pivot said blade holder toward a calenderroll for supporting a blade held by said cutter blade support against acalender roll.

10. An edge trimmer comprising a horizontally extending crossbar adaptedto be connected to a calender apparatus which processes a sheet ofcontinuously moving material having a longitudinal center line, asupport frame slidably mounted on said crossbar, lock means on saidsupport frame operatively connected to said crossbar for securing saidsupport frame to said crossbar, said support frame having spaced endportions, a first block pivotally mounted on one of said end portions, asecond block mounted on the other of said end portions for movement in avertical direction, means on said support frame operatively connected tosaid second block for adjusting said second block in a verticalrectilinear direction, guide bars operatively connecting said blocks toimpart an inclination to said guide bars upon relative movement of saidsecond block by said adjusting means on said support frame, a crossheadslidably mounted on said guide means, a vertically extending shaftmounted on said crosshead for freely pivotal movement, a tool supportmounted on said vertically extending shaft for movement therewith, ahorizontally extending pivot shaft pivotally mounted on said toolsupport, a boss secured to said horizontally extending shaft formovement therewith, a threaded rod mounted on said boss, cutting meansmounted on said threaded rod, 2. counterweight adjustably mounted onsaid threaded rod, and latch means movably mounted on said tool supportfor locking engagement with latch means secured to said horizontallyextending shaft.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,299,335 4/1919Hazeltine 83-433 X 1,575,616 3/1926 Brundage 83-433 X 1,602,746 10/1926BoWden 83-434 X 1,762,826 6/1930 Lehman 83-433 X 2,705,049 3/1955 Brooks83-434 X 2,987,948 6/1961 Casullo 83-434 X 3,008,864 11/1961 Macklem etal 83-428 X 3,073,197 1/1963 Gowin 83-433 X WILLIAM W. DYER, SR.,Primary Examiner.

J. M. MEISTER, Assistant Examiner.

1. AN EDGE TRIMMER COMPRISING A SUPPORT FRAME ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED TOA CALENDER APPARATUS WHICH PROCESSES A SHEET OF CONTINUOUSLY MOVINGMATERIAL HAVING A LONGITUDINAL CENTER LINE, SAID SUPPORT FRAME HAVING ACROSSHEAD MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME FOR UNRESTRICTED MOVEMENT TOWARD ANDAWAY FROM SUCH LONGITUDINAL CENTER LINE, SAID CROSSHEAD HAVING A CUTTERMOUNTED THEREON FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH SUCH SHEET OF MATERIAL, ANDADJUSTING MEANS ON SAID SUPPORT FRAME OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAIDCROSSHEAD PROVIDING A PRESELECTED CONSTANT LATERAL FORCE ON SAIDCROSSHEAD IRRESPECTIVE OF THE LATERAL MOVEMENT OF SAID CROSSHEAD TOWARDSAID LONGITUDINAL CENTER LINE.